Christian M. Williams
Partner
Cleveland
216.520.0088
cwilliams@pepple-waggoner.com
vCard
@ChrisWilliamsPW
Chris Williams has thirty years of experience as a trial attorney, focusing on all aspects of employment, commercial and general tort litigation. Chris has represented Ohio school boards in trial and appellate court litigation, labor arbitrations, real property tax valuation cases, civil rights claims, employment discrimination, student discipline matters, and many other school law matters. Chris also counsels school boards in labor and other contract negotiations. Chris is the former Chair of the Executive Committee of the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys and is a regular presenter on school law issues throughout the state.
Chris spends his free time with his wife and three children, fostering service dogs, and serving with F3 Cleveland. Chris has served in a variety of volunteer roles, including as Treasurer and Chief for the Cuyahoga Valley Native Sons and Daughters, an organization dedicated to promoting the bond between father and child through recreational activities such as camping, model rockets, and the pine car derby, as well as serving as the Treasurer for its parent organization, National Longhouse, Ltd.
Bar Admissions
Ohio
Court Admissions
United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Ohio local and state courts
Professional & Civic Organizations/Activities
Ohio State Bar Association
Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys’ Executive Committee
Education
J.D., cum laude, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
B.A., cum laude, English (minors in Political Science and Philosophy), Case Western Reserve University
Selected Presentations & Published Works
2026
“Contracting for Special Education Services” – Special Education Seminar
“Contract Language That Saves, Not Squanders, District Funds” – School Negotiations Workshop
2025
“Conducting Legal Board Meetings – Sunshine Law Challenges” – OSBA Capital Conference
“Let Us Pray. . . Protest & Post: First Amendment Freedoms and Schools” – Administrative In-Service
“Tried and True Procedures for Effectively Imposing Employee Discipline” – BASA
2024
“Negotiations Outlook for 2024-2025” – Administrative In-Service
“Sunshine Law Challenges and Trends” – OCSBA School Attorney Workshop
2023
“Investigating Employee Misconduct and Imposing Discipline” – Administrative In-Service
“Student Discipline Issues for the Legal Practitioner” – OCSBA School Attorney Workshop
“Common Errors Made by Administrators When Dealing with Student Discipline” – BASA
“Avoidable Mistakes Common Errors by Inexperienced Negotiators” – School Negotiations Workshop